Brazilian fans support Azamat Murzakanov over Paulo Costa ahead of fight

Brazilian MMA fans are overwhelmingly supporting Azamat Murzakanov in his upcoming fight against their countryman Paulo Costa. This unusual dynamic stems from Costa's controversial statements about Brazil's culture, country, and political decisions, which have alienated many of his compatriots. Brazilian fans are writing comments to Murzakanov promising to build him a statue if he knocks out Costa, declaring that Brazil supports him, and saying he would become a national hero on par with Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Neymar if victorious. Fans are also mass-publishing photos of Murzakanov photoshopped into the Brazilian national football team uniform. The level of home-country support for the foreign fighter against the Brazilian appears genuinely remarkable.